Monday, September 17, 2012
Brains, beauty or personality?
Today's Telegraph contains details of a fascinating study that may influence candidate selection panels up and down the country. They say that work by the University of Exeter and the University Iowa has found that in hotly contested constituencies the most attractive candidate wins nearly three quarters of the time:
Dr Caitlin Milazzo, a lecturer in politics at Exeter, said choosing attractive candidates could give a party the "edge".
"While our findings certainly do not indicate that unattractive candidates are unelectable, they do suggest that an attractiveness “advantage” may come into play.
"As a result, parties should be mindful of the appearance of their candidates, particularly when contesting a marginal seat."
The paper adds that the paper Pretty Faces, Marginal Races, presented at the Elections, Public Opinion and Parties Conference at Oxford University, suggests that in areas where political allegiances are less strong and candidates less well known, attractiveness plays a significant role:
While a candidates competence overall remained the most significant vote winner, when it is unknown or considered equal, attractiveness came into play.
"If you imagine all other things equal then this will give you the edge," said Dr Milazzo.
"This could get you a few extra votes especially if you want to get undecided voters."
Clearly, I am going to have to reconsider my position now that my Assembly seat is ultra marginal.
Dr Caitlin Milazzo, a lecturer in politics at Exeter, said choosing attractive candidates could give a party the "edge".
"While our findings certainly do not indicate that unattractive candidates are unelectable, they do suggest that an attractiveness “advantage” may come into play.
"As a result, parties should be mindful of the appearance of their candidates, particularly when contesting a marginal seat."
The paper adds that the paper Pretty Faces, Marginal Races, presented at the Elections, Public Opinion and Parties Conference at Oxford University, suggests that in areas where political allegiances are less strong and candidates less well known, attractiveness plays a significant role:
While a candidates competence overall remained the most significant vote winner, when it is unknown or considered equal, attractiveness came into play.
"If you imagine all other things equal then this will give you the edge," said Dr Milazzo.
"This could get you a few extra votes especially if you want to get undecided voters."
Clearly, I am going to have to reconsider my position now that my Assembly seat is ultra marginal.
